On March 18, 2026, we broke camp at Maverick Ranch RV Park, leaving the dramatic desert of Big Bend National Park behind us and pointing the truck northwest toward Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The drive clocks in around five hours depending on stops, and while a few stretches of West Texas highway reminded us that suspension systems are not just decorative, the journey was otherwise smooth and uneventful—wide open country, long horizons, and the occasional oddity along the way.
For the next two nights, we selected a truly minimalist camping experience: Chosa Campground. This is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and “campground” might be generous depending on your expectations. Picture several acres of flat gravel in the desert, a large identifying sign, a dumpster, and absolutely no fees. No hookups, no reservations, no frills. And yet, by nightfall, the place develops a quiet sort of community. About twenty RVs arranged themselves loosely around the perimeter, while tent campers migrated just beyond the fenced boundary in search of softer ground. Despite being only about a quarter mile off the highway, it was surprisingly quiet.
That evening was low key: dinner, some trip planning, a bit of TV, and unfortunately a late turn-in. The next day would be a full one, and we’d do it with little sleep.
The next morning, we were up at 7. We packed lunch, filled our hydration bladders, and headed into Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Unlike Big Bend, Guadalupe is more vertical than vast—the park protects the highest peaks in Texas, including Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet. It’s also the exposed core of an ancient Permian reef, which means you’re hiking through what was once the bottom of a shallow inland sea roughly 250 million years ago.
We started at Frijole Ranch with the Manzanita Spring and Smith Spring loop. Manzanita Spring sits right at the ranch and historically served as its primary water source. Early settlers dammed part of the outflow to create a small pool used for water storage and bathing. The water was crystal clear and, in the desert heat, more than a little tempting.
From there, we continued up to Smith Spring, about a mile into the foothills. This section of trail transitions from open desert into a surprisingly lush canyon pocket. There are small cascades, shaded sections, and enough greenery to feel slightly out of place in West Texas. Of the two, Smith Spring was easily the highlight—more scenic, more secluded, and more rewarding.
After finishing the loop, we stopped briefly at the Pine Springs Visitor Center to get oriented, then drove to Guadalupe Peak Overlook for lunch. From there you get an excellent view of Guadalupe Peak itself, the highest point in Texas, rising sharply out of the desert floor. It’s one of those views that makes you briefly reconsider your life choices and wonder if you should be hiking to the top—right up until you remember it’s an 8–9 hour round trip, it’s 90 degrees in the shade, and you don’t care about summiting.
After lunch, we made the longer drive around to the east side of the park and entered McKittrick Canyon. This area is often described as the “most beautiful spot in Texas,” particularly in the fall when the maples turn, but even in March it stands out as a greener, more sheltered canyon. The trail begins near the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center and follows a rocky wash up the canyon.
We headed in, but the temperature was pushing 90°F—far from ideal for a canyon hike with limited airflow. After about 30 minutes (roughly a mile), with the scenery still in its early, less dramatic phase and the heat starting to take a toll, we made the call to turn around. This is a trail better suited for cooler weather or an early morning start; in summer conditions, it would be downright punishing.
We returned to the trailer, cooled everything down, cleaned up, and prepared for the evening’s main event: grocery shopping. To make it feel slightly less like a chore, we upgraded the experience by going out to dinner first. With supplies restocked and everything squared away, we wrapped up the night and got ready for an early departure the next morning.
| Nights | Total Nights | Miles | Total Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 382 | 285 | 33938 |